PHILIPPINE CORN DOWNY MILDEW : ASSESSMENT OF PRESENT KNOWLEDGE AND FUTURE RESEARCH NEEDS

Abstract

The occurrence and destructiveness of corn downy mildew (DM) in the Philippines was first reported by Baker in 1916 (2). In 1918 Reinking (15) published a brief description of the disease with illustration of the causal fungus. Weston (19) published the most definitive and comprehensive work on this disease in the Philippines. Between 1923 and 1952 very little work had been done or no record at all was made regarding the destructives of disease. In 1953-1963, the UP Collage of Agriculture launched the inbredhybrid research program which was headed by Drs. D. L. Umali and H. K. Hayes. In 1953 several locally developed and introduced inbredlines were grown during the wet season at the Central Experiment Station. During that season a severe epiphytotic of DM occurred. Since then the disease had become a threat to corn production in the country.